Effect of waste-based geopolymers on mechanical and geotechnical properties of expansive soil
Rasil KODAH, Samer RABABAH, Mohammad Ali KHASAWNEH, Hussein ALDEEKY, Dima MALKAWI
Abstract. Geopolymers are cementitious materials that are known for their eco-friendly properties. They have the unique ability to harden quickly, exhibit impressive strength, and show minimal shrinkage. Additionally, they have excellent resistance to both acidic and alkaline corrosion. The impressive qualities of this product offer long-lasting benefits in enhancing the strength, stability, and durability of the subgrade soils. The current study aims to investigate the use of Olive Waste Ash – Geopolymer (OWA-GP) as a sustainable and environmentally friendly substitute for cement in soil stabilization using unconfined compressive strength (UCS). To evaluate the geopolymer’s UCS, various combinations of these materials were tested, along with alkalis (NaOH and Na2SiO3) in ratios (SS/SH; 1:2, 1:1, 3:2, 2:1), concentrations (5M, 10M, and 15M), and source material content (10%, 20%, and 30%) by weight of soil, with curing periods of 1, 7, and 28 days. OWA-GP (10M 3:2, 20%) achieved a maximum strength of 2.99 MPa after 28 days of curing. Geopolymers have been shown to outperform cement-stabilized soil and soil stabilized with cement. This demonstrates geopolymers’ superiority over cement and the possibility of expanding their use as a sustainable method of soil and ground improvement.
Keywords
Geopolymer, Industrial Waste Ash, Alkaline Activation, Soil Stabilization, Low-Carbon Footprint
Published online 2/25/2025, 10 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Rasil KODAH, Samer RABABAH, Mohammad Ali KHASAWNEH, Hussein ALDEEKY, Dima MALKAWI, Effect of waste-based geopolymers on mechanical and geotechnical properties of expansive soil, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 48, pp 549-558, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903414-60
The article was published as article 60 of the book Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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